Stabilizer for in-ground members, assemblies including the same, and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A stabilizer for an in-ground member includes: a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough; a plurality of arms having respective collar ends, the collar ends being adapted to extend through the channel and engage with the mounting collar; and a resilient member being sized (a) to be disposed within the channel between the collar ends and (b) to be engaged by the in-ground member so as to urge the resilient member against the collar ends to force the collar ends against the mounting collar, whereby to rigidify the stabilizer. A method for installing an in-ground member into the ground to dispose a portion thereof beneath the surface of the ground and to leave a portion thereof extending above the surface of the ground, the method includes: providing a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough and a plurality of arms having respective collar ends; inserting the collar ends through the channel of the mounting collar so that the collar ends engages with the mounting collar; inserting a resilient member into the channel of the mounting collar so that the resilient member supports the collar ends, the resilient member having a bore; engaging the in-ground member with the resilient member; and driving the plurality of arms into the ground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the date of theearlier filed provisional application, having U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/448,256, filed on Feb. 19, 2003, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention concerns a stabilizer for in-ground memberssuch as stakes, poles and the like. Typical of such in-ground membersare the target stakes of horseshoes or ring-toss games, and poles usedto support articles such as badminton or volleyball nets, flags orbanners, tents, plants, vines and the like.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] The utilization of in-ground members such as target stakes in thegames of horseshoes, ring-toss and the like, and support poles for anykind of article is, of course, well known in the art. A problem longencountered in the prior art is lack or loss of stability of suchin-ground members, which usually are simply driven into the ground toprovide their sole or primary means of support. As used herein,reference to “in-ground” members means and includes stakes, poles andthe like, which are primarily or entirely supported by the ground intowhich they are driven. In this context, the phrase “the ground” meansand includes earth, soil, sand, loam and the like, whether bare ground,plant-, grass- or lawn-covered ground, meadow, beach sand, clay, etc.

[0006] One difficulty with such in-ground members is a lack ofstability, which may result from loosening of the ground retaining themember in place, which loosening may be aggravated by impacts sustainedby, or stresses imposed on, the in-ground member. Such impacts mayresult from a game, such as when the target stake of a horseshoe game isimpacted by the horseshoe striking it, and stresses may be imposed bythe wind exerting a force on a tent, plant, flag or banner, or byphysical contact by persons, animals or objects with the in-groundmember or the article it supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies areovercome or alleviated by a stabilizer for in-ground members thatincludes a mounting collar having a channel extending therethrough and aplurality of arms. Each of the plurality of arms has a collar end, whichis adapted to extend through the channel and engage with the mountingcollar. The stabilizer also includes a resilient member that has a boreand is sized to be disposed within the channel so as to support thecollar end of each of the plurality of arms at the mounting collar. Theresilient member is adapted to receive the in-ground member.

[0008] Additionally, a related method for installing an in-ground memberinto the ground to dispose a portion thereof beneath the surface of theground and to leave a portion thereof extending above the surface of theground, the method includes providing a plurality of arms that each havea collar end and a mounting collar and inserting the collar end throughthe channel of the mounting collar so that the collar end engages withthe mounting collar. In addition, the method includes inserting aresilient member, which has a bore, into the channel of the mountingcollar so that the resilient member supports the collar end andinserting an in-ground member into the bore so that the resilient memberis forced against the mounting collar to provide rigidity to theplurality of arms. The method also includes driving the plurality ofarms into the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stabilizer inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention aligned with anin-ground member, a portion of which is embedded beneath the ground andanother portion of which protrudes vertically above the ground;

[0010]FIG. 2 is an elevation view, with the ground shown in crosssection, showing an assembly of the stabilizer and in-ground member ofFIG. 1 fully installed in the ground;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a plan view of an assembly of a fully installedstabilizer and in-ground member of FIG. 1; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an alternative embodiment for ananchor leg of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a stabilizer 10 alignedwith an in-ground member 12. In-ground member 12 has an above-groundportion 12 a which extends vertically above the surface S of the groundG, and has a below-ground portion 12 b which is embedded in the groundG.

[0014] Stabilizer 10 includes a mounting collar 16 that has a channel 18extending therethrough. A plurality of arms is shown as four arms 20 a,20 b, 20 c and 20 d. Arms 20 a-20 d are disposed at ninety-degreeintervals about mounting collar 16, i.e., adjacent ones of the arms areat right angles to each other. Each arm 20 a-20 d includes a stabilizingsection 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, and 22 d that extend radially from mountingcollar 16, and an anchoring section 24 a, 24 b, 24 c, and 24 d thatextend downwardly from stabilizing section 22 a-22 d. When stabilizer 10is used for a horseshoe game, each stabilizing section 22 a-22 d may bein a range of approximately 8 inches to 10 inches and each anchoringsection 24 a-24 d is at least 10 inches. In an exemplary embodiment,each stabilizing section 22 a-22 d is disposed approximately four inchesbelow the ground.

[0015] The figures illustrate that stabilizing section 22 a-22 d andanchoring section 24 a-24 d are a continuous member with approximately aninety-degree angle between the two sections. The advantage of this iseasy of manufacturing and assembly. In addition, stabilizing section 22a-22 d may also be a separate piece from anchoring section 24 a-24 d andthe two sections may be couple together by a bolt, screw, weld, or anyother known means for attaching two sections.

[0016] Each anchoring section 24 a-24 d may also include a respectiveprojection or foot 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, and 26 d, which helps to anchor thearms 20 a-20 d into the ground G. Each arm 20 a-20 d includes arespective collar end 30 a-30 d with a respective nub 32 a-32 d. Eachcollar end 30 a-30 d extends from stabilizing section 22 a-22 d in adownwardly direction through channel 18 so that nubs 32 a-32 d engagewith mounting collar 16. Nubs 32 a-32 d help to keep the assembly frombeing forced upward upon impact. It will be appreciated that collar ends30 a-30 d engage mounting collar 16 without the assistance of anymechanical means such as welds, bolts, screws, or the like.

[0017] Stabilizer 10 also includes a resilient member 40 that isinserted into channel 18 and helps to secure collar ends 30 a-30 d tomounting collar 16. Resilient member 40 also absorbs the impact whenthere is forced placed on in-ground member 12, i.e., when a horseshoering impacts in-ground member 12, and also ensures that in-ground member12 does not slip. Resilient member 40 may be made from foam, rubber, orany material that is compressible and resists compression. In addition,resilient member may also be a spring device or any type of device thatis compressible and resists compression. Resilient member 40 includes abore 42 that extends through member 40. Resilient member 40 is shaped sothat it extends through mounting collar 16. In an exemplary embodiment,resilient member 40 has a curved body 44 and ears 46 (barbelled shaped).Ears 46 expand over a top edge 48 and a bottom edge 50 of mountingcollar and help to hold resilient member in place within mounting collar16. Bore 42 is sized to be smaller than in-ground member 12 so that whenin-ground member 12 is received into bore 42, resilient member 40 iscompressed and securely holds in-ground member 40 at mounting channel16.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of arms 20 a-20 dis illustrated. In addition, while only one arm is illustrated, it isunderstood that the embodiment is applicable to each of the arms 20 a-20d. Anchoring section 24 d may include an anchor fin 54 d, which isattached to anchoring section 24 d. In addition, anchoring section 24 dmay also include a plurality of holes 56 so that an installer may choosethe height at which to attach anchor fin 54 d to anchoring section 24 d.By providing anchoring section 24 d with a plurality of holes 56, anchorfin 54 d may be positioned at various heights along anchoring section 24d. This enables variation of the depth of individual anchor fins belowground surface when the installation is complete, and/or permitsfastening of more than one anchor fin to a given anchoring section. Eachanchor fin 54 a, 54 b, 54 c (not shown), and 54 d may be arranged atsimilar heights or at least one anchor fin may be offset for one of theother anchor fins. In an exemplary embodiment, anchor fin 54 d issomewhat fan-shaped. Anchor fin 54 d may be attached to anchoringsection 24 d by a mechanical fastener, such as a bolt, screw, weld, orthe fins may ride in a track (not shown) on the anchoring section, andmay be locked in place at a desired position by a detent or othersuitable locking member.

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment for arrangingstabilizer 10 in ground G is illustrated. If stabilizer 10 is used for ahorseshoe game, there is enhanced stability by arranging stabilizer 10in an X formation so that a horseshoe is thrown at in-ground member 12from a direction 60. Direction 60 shows the impact force that would beimposed on in-ground member 12 if it served as the target stake of ahorseshoes game in which the horseshoes were pitched from a positionthat causes them to travel along a path substantially parallel to, andin the direction 60.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in order to attain the assembly ofstabilizer 10 and in-ground member 12, the following method is utilized.A hole for the mounting collar 16 and four trenches, for eachstabilizing section 22 a-22 d of each arm 20 a-20 d. Stabilizer 10 isthen assembled by sliding each collar end 30 a-30 d through channel 18so that nubs 32 a-32 d hook onto bottom edge 50. Resilient member 40 isthen inserted into channel and in-ground member 12 is slide into bore42. Anchoring sections 24 a-24 d are then placed on the ground G withfoot 26 a-26 d each being located in one of the trenches and withmounting collar 16 located directly above the hole. Anchoring sections24 a-24 d are then driven into the ground by either pushing on arms 20a-20 d or using a sledgehammer to drive anchoring sections 24 a-24 dinto the ground G. Repeated blows distributed in sequence to each arm 20a-20 d will drive stabilizer 10 into the ground to the positionillustrated in FIG. 2. If the ground G comprises a loose soil or sand,for example, beach sand or a sand or loam used in a game such ashorseshoes or ring-toss, stabilizer 10 will, of course, be easily driveninto the ground G and holes and trenches may not be necessary. Oncestabilizing sections 22 a-22 d are located within the trenches andmounting collar 16 is located in the hole, the hole and trenches arebackfilled so as to cover stabilizer 10 and to have a section ofin-ground member 12 extending above ground G.

[0021] It will be appreciated that stabilizer 10 will provide anextremely secure retention of in-ground member 12 within ground G, andwill provide a high degree of resistance to impacts in any direction,but especially in the direction of the arrow 60 of FIG. 3, therebymaintaining in-ground member 12 and its above-ground portion in desiredalignment, usually vertical, relative to the surface S of ground G.

[0022] While four arms 20 a-20 d have been illustrated as extendingradially outwardly from mounting collar 16 at ninety-degree intervals,more or fewer than four arms may be used and they may be positioned atequal or unequal radial intervals, depending on the nature of the groundand whether directionality of highest resistance to impact is desired.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the in-ground member of the inventionneed not be a target stake for horseshoes or ring-toss as illustrated,but may be a tent pole, fence post, some other type of post, a pole orother in-ground member, or the like. Such in-ground members, alone or incooperation with similar or identical in-ground members, may serve tosupport any of a wide range of articles, for example, a badminton orvolleyball net or the like, a flag or banner, a tent, growing plants andvines, etc. Whatever the purpose of the in-ground member, a stabilizerin accordance with the present invention, such as stabilizer 10, willenormously enhance the stability of any type of in-ground member.

[0024] The advantages of stabilizer 10 are that stabilizer 10 isinexpensive to make and it can be shipped disassembled. Stabilizer 10 isalso easy to assemble and may be assembled in the field at the time ofinstallation into the ground.

[0025] While the invention has been described with respect to specificpreferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerousvariations may be made to these specific embodiments which variationsnonetheless lie within the spirit and scope of the present invention.For example, the stabilizer may be made of any suitable material, metal,plastic or a combination thereof, and it may be formed of componentswhich are secured to each other by any suitable means, or it may be anintegrally-formed, i.e., one-piece, stabilizer. The stabilizer of thepresent invention may be dimensioned and configured to be fitted onto anexisting in-ground member, or it may be pre-assembled with an in-groundmember to provide a unitary assembly comprising a stabilizable in-groundmember.

1. A stabilizer for an in-ground member comprising: a mounting collarhaving a channel extending therethrough; a plurality of arms havingrespective collar ends, said collar ends being adapted to extend throughsaid channel and engage with said mounting collar; and a resilientmember being sized (a) to be disposed within said channel between saidcollar ends and (b) to be engaged by said in-ground member so as to urgesaid resilient member against said collar ends to force said collar endsagainst said mounting collar, whereby to rigidify said stabilizer. 2.The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said collar ends have respective nubsthat protrude beyond a bottom edge of said mounting collar.
 3. Thestabilizer of claim 1, wherein said collar ends have respective nubsthat hook onto a bottom edge of said mounting collar.
 4. The stabilizerof claim 1, wherein said resilient member has at least one ear thatoverlaps an edge of said mounting collar.
 5. The stabilizer of claim 1,wherein said plurality of arm include respective stabilizing sectionsand anchoring sections, said stabilizing sections are disposed adjacentto said collar ends and extend radially from said mounting collar for afirst distance to an end, said anchoring sections extend from said enddownwardly for a second distance to a distal end.
 6. The stabilizer ofclaim 1, wherein said anchoring sections include respective projectionsdisposed at said distal end.
 7. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein anangle between one of said stabilizing section and one of said anchoringsection is approximately 90 degrees.
 8. The stabilizer of claim 1,wherein at least one of said stabilizing section and at least one ofsaid anchoring section are coupled together at said end.
 9. Thestabilizer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said anchoring sectionincludes at least one hole for mounting an anchor fin.
 10. Thestabilizer of claim 1, wherein at least one of said anchoring sectionsincludes an anchor fin, said anchor fin is adjustable.
 11. Thestabilizer of claim 1, wherein each of said anchoring sections includesan anchor fin and one of said anchor fins is disposed at a higherelevation than the other anchor fins.
 12. The stabilizer of claim 1,wherein said resilient member has a bore therein and said in-groundmember is adapted to be engaged with said resilient member by beinginserted into said bore so that upon insertion of said in-ground memberinto said resilient member, said resilient member is forced against saidcollar ends to force said collar ends against said mounting collar toprovide rigidity to said stabilizer.
 13. A method for installing anin-ground member into the ground to dispose a portion thereof beneaththe surface of the ground and to leave a portion thereof extending abovethe surface of the ground, the method comprising: providing a mountingcollar having a channel extending therethrough and a plurality of armshaving respective collar ends; inserting said collar ends through saidchannel of said mounting collar so that said collar ends engages withsaid mounting collar; inserting a resilient member into said channel ofsaid mounting collar so that said resilient member supports said collarends, said resilient member having a bore; engaging the in-ground memberwith said resilient member; and driving said plurality of arms into theground.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said in-ground memberengages said resilient member by inserting said in-ground member into abore of said resilient member so that upon insertion of said in-groundmember into said resilient member, said resilient member is forcedagainst said collar ends to force said collar ends against said mountingcollar to provide rigidity to said stabilizer.
 15. The method of claim13, further comprising, before driving said plurality of arms into theground, excavating a portion of the ground.